More energy efficient computers with new EU-directive

Tags: Anna-Karin Jönbrink, Ecocomputer, EU-directive, legislation, monitors, save energy, Swerea

-A new EU-directive will likely drive the market to lower the use of energy for computers and displays. After January 7, 2010 computers will be required to use less energy than today, says Anna-Karin Jönbrink, from Swerea the EU expert on computers and monitors and their environmental performance. If the computer manufacturer manages to meet the legislation it will be possible to save up to 30 percent of the energy used today. These savings will add up, as there are about 300 million computers and displays in Europe. Two important ways to lower the energy use for computers are a) changing our usage patterns so that we all switch off the computer when not in use. And b) increase the efficiency of the computer itself, for example by choosing a power supply unit with higher efficiency. Other important energy savers are for example LED in displays (light emitting diodes), a technology already in place in many displays. You can find more about this at ecocomputer.